A Resilient Spirit

Gaylene Harawira, corps sergeant major at Whakatāne Corps, shares her story of resilience and hope, as she continues to uplift others with positivity and a steadfast belief that God walks with her every step of the way.

I don’t remember when I first knew God, but I have always sensed his presence with me. I grew up in Whakatāne and was the eighth of 15 children. We lived in a three-bedroom house, although we weren’t all at home together as some of my older sisters had already left. I come from a loving family, and we have remained very close-knit. Mum and Dad brought us up this way. We always had a family lunch once a month and celebrated Christmas together with a big hāngī. We grew up with kapa haka and lots of singing.

My father belonged to the Rātana Church, and my mother belonged to the Ringatū Church. They always supported each other. There wasn’t a Rātana church in Whakatāne so we would travel to Whanganui a few times a year to attend.

When I was young, my mum would also send us to The Salvation Army on Sundays with a friend. Mum gave us money to put in the collection plate ‘to give to Jesus’ and some money to buy an ice cream or chips on the way home. I remember learning that you are not meant to take change from the collection plate. My mother was not happy when she found out I had tried to do that!

Reconnection

Many years later, I reconnected with The Salvation Army through my husband. He was a recovering alcoholic and had come to The Salvation Army for some help. He kept saying to me, ‘Come to church with me,’ and I would say, ‘No, no, it’s okay. I already know who God is. I don’t need to come to your building to see who God is.’

My husband was still drinking, but for a while I saw a change in him. Eventually, I started coming along on Sunday mornings with our four children. Sadly, my husband fell off the wagon, we parted ways and I became a single mother. I loved spending time at The Salvation Army in Whakatāne and was the Family Store manager for several years. My children grew up in The Salvation Army because I wanted them to have a strong foundation of knowing God. Not all of them attend the Army now, but they all know who God is and the importance of karakia (prayer).

I’ve been with the Army in Whakatāne for nearly 38 years and I became a soldier in 2000. People sometimes ask me why I choose to wear the uniform. I wear it because it helps me in my walk with God. I wanted to become transparent and for people to know that I am a follower of God. For a long time, I wasn’t active in my faith, I was a bum on a pew. But then I developed a personal relationship with Jesus, and I knew he was real.

Testing times

In 2021, my faith was tested when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was devastated. I had so many questions, especially, What is going to happen to my children and mokopuna if I die? I have 15 grandchildren, and some of them are in my care. But the whole experience was amazing. Every single thing fell into place with my appointments and treatment. I had chemo every week for a whole year, and it was brutal. I started to lose the nerves in my fingers and toes. I still cannot do up my own buttons.

The chemo worked and I dropped to having it every two weeks and then immunotherapy every three weeks. I was well and then boom! A new cancer formed this year in the same breast. I never questioned God, but I did wonder what was going on. I know that if I didn’t have my relationship with God that I would not have survived. Instead, it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. I saw beauty everywhere. I have remained positive throughout all my treatment, and I encourage other people to be positive too. I say, ‘Look at your children, look at everything around you, look at creation.’ I wasn’t always like this. I know this is God walking with me.

Passion for people

I just love that Jesus chose me. He chose me specially, I really believe this. He plucked me out of a crowd and placed me here for a reason. I am here to help the people I work with in Community Ministries. I work in the foodbank, I greet people at the front door, help with playgroup, and I visit our nannies and koru (older people) in local rest homes. I was appointed as the Whakatāne Corps (church) sergeant major earlier this year. I’m 65 years old and they could choose a young person for my role, but I’m still here. I love my job and I love helping this community.

I’m currently undergoing immunotherapy, and I’ve had a full mastectomy. I was sent to Tauranga Hospital for my surgery and was in hospital for eight days. The staff were incredible. They were amazed that I was sitting up after the third day and my wounds were healed up on the sixth day. They looked at me and said, ‘You are amazing,’ and I said, ‘It’s not me, it’s God!’ I still have some tough days, but I have a loving family and the fantastic staff I work with here at Whakatāne Corps.

I truly believe in [co-founders] Catherine and William Booth’s mission. If we stick to the programme we won’t get anything wrong. We need to be asking the questions: Why are we here? and Why did Catherine and William create this Army? It was always to help people. It is my hope for everyone to know Jesus the way I know him. He’s my everything.